CPE requirements
Continuing professional education (CPE) is the best opportunity to stay informed on accounting best practices, explore new areas of the industry and nurture your professional development. Aside from its benefits, CPE can be a requirement for some career accountants, including certified public accountants (CPAs) and certified management accountants (CMAs). Here is your guide to CPE requirements once you’ve earned CMA certification or a CPA license.
CMA CPE requirements
Once you pass the CMA Exam and meet the requirements to earn CMA certification, you need to earn CPE credits to maintain the credential. Here are the CPE requirements for the Certified Management Accountant certification:
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All CMAs must earn 30 hours of CPE each year.
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At least 2 of the 30 hours must cover the subject of ethics.
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The CPE reporting period begins on January 1, meaning you must complete all 30 continuing education hours by the first of the year.
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CPE is not required in the period between when you pass the CMA Exam and the following January 1. If you complete any CPE in this period, you can count the hours towards your first reporting period. So, it’s never too early to start!
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If you complete more than 30 hours in one year, you can carry up to 10 hours to the next year.
For more information about the CMA certification’s continuing professional education requirements, visit the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA).
CPA CPE requirements
Once you pass the CPA Exam and complete the requirements to earn a CPA license, you need to maintain licensure by meeting continuing professional education (CPE) requirements. All licensed CPAs must earn a specific number of CPE credits each year to keep their license. The number of annual CPE credits and the date that they are due are defined by each state licensing board.
Your state CPE requirement is important – not only do you maintain the license that you worked so hard for, but you can also use this opportunity to keep up-to-speed on accounting best practices, regulations and professional development.
CPA CPE requirements by state
Click below to learn more about the CPE requirements by state.
How to meet your CPE requirement
There are many ways to earn your annual required credit hours and indulge in new learning opportunities. Thankfully, Becker is your one-stop-shop for all things CPE. Our CPE subscriptions offer something for everyone’s interests, including on-demand courses to webcasts. If you’re looking to expand your expertise in a specific subject to the highest proficiency, we also offer CPE certificate programs in various accounting hot topics.
